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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
A superb, quirky, inventive piece of television, this unjustly cancelled gem is worthy of a place in any discerning viewer's DVD collection. Wonderfalls details the trials and tribulations of Jaye Tyler (the sublime Caroline Dhavernas), a philosophy graduate wasting her life in a Niagra Falls gift shop that gives its name to the title of the show. Jaye's life plods on, drinking with her friend Mahandra, managing with her go-getting family until one day a defective toy, wax lion starts talking to her. After this one inanimate animal object after another gives Jaye abstract advice sending her on a series of adventures that see her begin to make progress in her life and touching those around her. Parts of this may sound clichéd but honestly, you've never seen anything quite as unique and original as this. Wonderfalls is simply a delight to watch, from the pitch-perfect acting to the superb writing, nothing is amiss. An absolute must buy.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
There's always the danger of over-hyping with a show that was cut short prematurely and not given the chance to get into any kind of groove and really shine, before a merciless axing by an uncaring network. But that is definitely not true of `Wonderfalls', because as much as I enjoyed Bryan Fuller's other (more successful) creation `Dead Like Me', as an entirely different fantasy-comedy-drama `Wonderfalls' completely out-classes the competition, which is all the more impressive considering only thirteen episodes were ever made.
There is no Pilot for `Wonderfalls', no extra-length special to present the audience with the premise of this series and set the tone for the season to follow- the series just begins with little explanation or establishment and I think that's to the detriment of the show. The network obviously agreed because it was cancelled after a meagre four episodes were aired across the pond. But it's those further nine episodes that complete the season and which really see this oddity of an animal come to life! While I've gotta be honest and admit that the first few episodes are a little pedestrian, very soon `Wonderfalls' becomes surprisingly addictive television. Once you reach the final five episodes and especially the closing moments of episode 10- `Lying Pig' when an emotional tone begins to creep in beside the comedic one, I guarantee it will become clear to you just how attached you've gotten to these characters and in such a short space of time.
In one of the ways `Wonderfalls' shines particularly bright is in the writing- there are some absolutely cracking lines throughout each and every episode, it's more like poetry than dialogue, as barbed remark connects to witty off-the-cuff jibe leads into perfectly delivered punch-line without pause for breath. It may be true that `Dead Like Me's' reaper-hook probably works better than the talking-trinket-gimmick, but as the central heroine Jaye, Caroline Dhavernas delivers so much heart that it's impossible not to be swept along on the tempestuous tides of her life and love issues. And when you add into the mix a cast that are just as unique and interesting in their own right and given as much great material to flesh out their characters, it's just an irresistible and in the end heart-wrenching formula.
It's not difficult to see why `Wonderfalls' is mourned by so many- Jaye is a truly inspirational creation, not just engaging and funny, but really easy to empathise with. Plus the theme tune is absolute genius- incredibly catchy and the writing for each and every story is both original and unpredictable, so that after thirteen episodes it feels like an old friend, one you'll surely be saddened to say goodbye to and after only just getting to know. Travesty.
There is no Pilot for `Wonderfalls', no extra-length special to present the audience with the premise of this series and set the tone for the season to follow- the series just begins with little explanation or establishment and I think that's to the detriment of the show. The network obviously agreed because it was cancelled after a meagre four episodes were aired across the pond. But it's those further nine episodes that complete the season and which really see this oddity of an animal come to life! While I've gotta be honest and admit that the first few episodes are a little pedestrian, very soon `Wonderfalls' becomes surprisingly addictive television. Once you reach the final five episodes and especially the closing moments of episode 10- `Lying Pig' when an emotional tone begins to creep in beside the comedic one, I guarantee it will become clear to you just how attached you've gotten to these characters and in such a short space of time.
In one of the ways `Wonderfalls' shines particularly bright is in the writing- there are some absolutely cracking lines throughout each and every episode, it's more like poetry than dialogue, as barbed remark connects to witty off-the-cuff jibe leads into perfectly delivered punch-line without pause for breath. It may be true that `Dead Like Me's' reaper-hook probably works better than the talking-trinket-gimmick, but as the central heroine Jaye, Caroline Dhavernas delivers so much heart that it's impossible not to be swept along on the tempestuous tides of her life and love issues. And when you add into the mix a cast that are just as unique and interesting in their own right and given as much great material to flesh out their characters, it's just an irresistible and in the end heart-wrenching formula.
It's not difficult to see why `Wonderfalls' is mourned by so many- Jaye is a truly inspirational creation, not just engaging and funny, but really easy to empathise with. Plus the theme tune is absolute genius- incredibly catchy and the writing for each and every story is both original and unpredictable, so that after thirteen episodes it feels like an old friend, one you'll surely be saddened to say goodbye to and after only just getting to know. Travesty.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
"Wonderfalls" was one of those outstanding cult shows that burn bright and briefly -- it lasted only four episodes before being yanked, with nine more as yet unaired. Now fans of this cult show are rewarded with the full series, in all its witty, quirky glory.
Twentysomething Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas) is an underachieving slacker. She has a philosophy degree from Brown University, but now works as a shopgirl at Niagara Falls and lives in a trailer. Needless to say, her ultra-successful family finds this galling and disturbing, even though they themselves are far from the Cleaver clan -- her sister Sharon (Katie Finneran) is a lesbian, her parents are splitting, and her brother is just a weirdo.
Then weirder things happen to Jaye. Suddenly toys are talking to her, and prompting her to help the people around her -- returning purses, dealing with ghosts, helping an old enemy from high school, and deal with a long-dead Indian girl. Following the instructions of her "muses," Jaye begins to learn a few things about other people, and the quality of kindness.
It's an unusual idea for a TV show -- an embittered young woman hears "muses" talking to her, including a stuffed lizard, lawn flamingos and a brass monkey. Most people would just check themselves into a padded cell, but that doesn't make for scintillating TV watching. So instead, it becomes a deeply warped inspirational series.
What sets it apart from other series is the surreal touch and wicked sense of humor. It's never made clear why Jaye hears toys and bookends talking cryptically to her -- is it God? Aliens? Her own mind? Pantheistic souls in everything? Nothing is made specific, which makes it all the weirder and more intriguing -- especially since the toys give her advice even when she doesn't want it.
And the humor can be beyond weird, but is always funny, such as Jaye arguing with a cow creamer (shades of P.G. Wodehouse?) that she doesn't want a pancake. Another example is a solemn, intense moment after she scatters a deceased person's ashes.... and promptly gets fined for littering. The dialogue is witty and well-written -- not in a laugh track way, but in a smile-and-chuckle-softly way.
Caroline Dhavernas does a phenomenal job as Jaye. She narrowly avoids the sullen teen/twentysomething cliche, making Jaye's dissatisfaction with her family and life seem realistic. She can be nasty and incisive and angsty, but can also be sweet and even vulnerable. The supporting cast, such as nice-guy bartender Eric (Tyron Leitso) and Jaye's bizarro overachiever family, are surprisingly well-rounded for such quirky characters.
"Wonderfalls" is destined to remain a cult hit -- delicate, weird and thoroughly original. It didn't last long, but now everyone can enjoy what there was of it. Absolutely wonder-fall.
Twentysomething Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas) is an underachieving slacker. She has a philosophy degree from Brown University, but now works as a shopgirl at Niagara Falls and lives in a trailer. Needless to say, her ultra-successful family finds this galling and disturbing, even though they themselves are far from the Cleaver clan -- her sister Sharon (Katie Finneran) is a lesbian, her parents are splitting, and her brother is just a weirdo.
Then weirder things happen to Jaye. Suddenly toys are talking to her, and prompting her to help the people around her -- returning purses, dealing with ghosts, helping an old enemy from high school, and deal with a long-dead Indian girl. Following the instructions of her "muses," Jaye begins to learn a few things about other people, and the quality of kindness.
It's an unusual idea for a TV show -- an embittered young woman hears "muses" talking to her, including a stuffed lizard, lawn flamingos and a brass monkey. Most people would just check themselves into a padded cell, but that doesn't make for scintillating TV watching. So instead, it becomes a deeply warped inspirational series.
What sets it apart from other series is the surreal touch and wicked sense of humor. It's never made clear why Jaye hears toys and bookends talking cryptically to her -- is it God? Aliens? Her own mind? Pantheistic souls in everything? Nothing is made specific, which makes it all the weirder and more intriguing -- especially since the toys give her advice even when she doesn't want it.
And the humor can be beyond weird, but is always funny, such as Jaye arguing with a cow creamer (shades of P.G. Wodehouse?) that she doesn't want a pancake. Another example is a solemn, intense moment after she scatters a deceased person's ashes.... and promptly gets fined for littering. The dialogue is witty and well-written -- not in a laugh track way, but in a smile-and-chuckle-softly way.
Caroline Dhavernas does a phenomenal job as Jaye. She narrowly avoids the sullen teen/twentysomething cliche, making Jaye's dissatisfaction with her family and life seem realistic. She can be nasty and incisive and angsty, but can also be sweet and even vulnerable. The supporting cast, such as nice-guy bartender Eric (Tyron Leitso) and Jaye's bizarro overachiever family, are surprisingly well-rounded for such quirky characters.
"Wonderfalls" is destined to remain a cult hit -- delicate, weird and thoroughly original. It didn't last long, but now everyone can enjoy what there was of it. Absolutely wonder-fall.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
LOVE IT
I bought this due to being depressed about there being no more Pushing Daisies. Now I'm doubly depressed because there was only one series of this show. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2010 by raven_guest
You must see this
Can a tv series ever be classed as art? If so, then this show is it. The sheer genius of the writing will leave you breathless and with such a talented cast doing justice to the... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2007 by mickram23
Wonderful
They're missing a trick in not yet having released this as a Region 2 DVD.
If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or (especially) Firefly, I think you'll go for this too... Read more
If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or (especially) Firefly, I think you'll go for this too... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2007 by D. J. Eddyshaw
I've run out of descriptive words to use in my titles
Wonderfalls is one of those marvellous shows that come along only once in a while and are so often brutally slaughtered by the network bigheads because no one is watching it. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2007 by A. Weaver
it's a gem, and I apologize...
... for not viewing this show when it was on the air. (Okay, I haven't got a Nielson box and so don't count ratingswise, but I still feel kinda bad. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2006 by Anthrophile
How Cool Is This Series
I thought Wonderfalls is very different to what I've seen before – very stylish. The characters are all funny their own ways and no-one is out of place in this series. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2006 by "h_e_l_l_o"
Waiting to buy the DVD
I keep missing the show on Sky Mix, and they keep moving it around, so I just have to buy the DVD.
Wonderfalls is an excellent, gentle romantic comedy, with many quirky and very... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2005 by Mr. M. G. Grantham
Romantic Comedy that will blow you away!
Wonderfalls ist for any of us, who can identify with a 24 year old, working retail while having a degree but no ambition. Jaye Tyler has created an expection free zone for herself. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2005 by Marlene
"Are you the evil cow?"
I don't wish to sound harsh but whoever cancelled this needs a slapping. I watch a lot of TV of many varying degrees of quality (Charmed take note) but this is the first time I've... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2005 by Kfreeman
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